May 7, 2009

Say that one of your favorite songs from last year was “Raise Me Up” by Hercules and Love Affair. Say that one your favorite songs from the year before last was “Get Innocuous” by LCD Soundsystem. And say that one of your favorite songs from the year before that was “And I Was a Boy From School,” by Hot Chip. True, true, and true, at least for me.

And if you’re like me in those respects, you’ll probably also join me in loving this new album, “The Future Will Come” by The Juan Maclean. This ten-song lp is anchored by three excellent, long (circa 10-minute) tracks, “The Simple Life” and “Happy House,” both of which were released previously as tremendous singles, and “Tonight,” which is all-new and even better. Interspersed are shorter, three-minute songs, equally strong, of which “Accusations” with its bitter/sweet lyrics and “The Station” with its Human League-esque boy-girl vocals is the standout for me. Nancy Whang, who contributed to the aforementioned “Get Innocuous,” takes the lead on vocals for most of these tracks and while yes she’s always great here in my opinion she’s never sounded better.

Indeed, what’s best about this album is that no special philosophy is needed to enjoy it. Electronic disco beats and female vocals — sometimes that’s all you need and this record proves it. Kind of reminds me of that old Roxy Music song: “when you’ve heard enough of the blues and stuff” … and if “I don’t have to tell you hard hard it can be to get by” … then this album’s for you.

And what was the name of that song? Oh yeah … “a really good time.” A fitting four-word description of this one too.